The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has 3 new members! =D

Cool shirt I got from the Water Festival

Our district before transfers last week- I am standing right next to Elder Langford who is still my companion

Elder Hanberg is gone, serving in Nashua now. Elder Castellano is training now, and his new companion's name is Elder Croft. He's from Vancouver, WA - he's a really nice guy, and guess what? He has a sister with cerebral palsy, like my own sister. It's been cool to talk to him and share experiences. His sister's condition is different (and arguably better) than Keira's, but it's still CP nonetheless. It's really awesome to have someone who has been through a lot of the same things I have in that regard. Elder Croft also happens to be the oldest in his family, like me.

We had dinner with a woman named Dolly (nicknamed Lala) this week, who is not a member but loves the Church and really loves missionaries. She's a sweet elderly woman, and being in her home reminded me of my own grandmothers. She fed us very well, and we got to talk to her for a while. She considers herself a "dry Mormon" - a member in word, thought, and deed, just hasn't been baptized. She claims that she will join the Church when she decides to of her own accord, and that we won't convince her otherwise. She had missionaries living in the apartment that is the floor above her in her home for over 18 years, and 3 or 4 years ago the mission office changed the apartment, and last year changed it to the apartment where we are now. Lala is really a wonderful person, and I truly think she'll join the Church someday...if not in this life, then definitely in the next.

We had a couple from the Avalon Ward in the Citrus Heights stake visiting in our ward...that's my home stake!!! It was cool to meet them, even though I didn't recognize them at all. Also at church yesterday, Hans gave a GREAT talk, and last but certainly not least, Atong, Arnold, and Esther were confirmed members of the Church and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I'm so happy and excited for them! They also had interviews for temple recommends to go and do baptisms - our ward is having a temple trip in a couple Saturdays, so they'll be able to go to that! The best part? Our zone leaders have given us permission to go to the temple with them (along with all of our other recent converts)!!! I'm beyond thrilled. =]

I know it's short today, but it's only been a few days since I last wrote, since P-day was on Wednesday last week. No need to worry about me - I love this work, I love this area, I love this ward, I love these people, I love what I'm doing, I love who I'm becoming, and I love my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and my Father in Heaven, who leads and guides me each and every day.

Godspeed! =D

Elder Justin DeLong